Arie Kouandjio

Arie Kouandjio was a 4-star prospect in the 2010 class who chose the Tide over USC, Miami and California.

After dealing with injuries throughout his career at Alabama, he is finally healthy and closing in on the left guard position vacated by Chance Warmack.

Kouandjio is in line to start next to his brother Cyrus, who is an All-American candidate for the Tide at left tackle.

According to Andrew Gribble of AL.com, Saban is pleased with Kouandjio’s progress and has even flirted with the idea of putting him at right tackle. Regardless of where he lines up, he has worked himself into being a player whom the Tide will count on this season.

Ryan Kelly

Saban went into Big Ten territory to pluck 4-star offensive lineman Ryan Kelly, who chose Alabama over Florida, Florida State and Kentucky.

The graduation of Barrett Jones left a sizable void at center. But of all the linemen hoping to fill one of three vacancies on the offensive line, Kelly has been the safest bet to assume a starting role.

He played well enough as a reserve last season to merit his selection to the 2012 SEC All-Freshman team, per CBS Sports.

Denzel Devall

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Height: 6’2”

Weight: 250 pounds

Position: Outside Linebacker

Player Replacing: Xzavier Dickson

While Landon Collins was the most high-profile recruit that Saban pulled out of Louisiana in 2012, quietly getting 4-star linebacker Denzel Devall out of the Pelican State was a coup for the Tide. Devall chose Alabama over LSU and Texas A&M.

While Alabama returns players with starting experience at all four linebacker positions, the competition in practice has still produced a notable battle at one of the outside linebacker spots.

After a standout freshman season, Devall is in line to share a spot or even unseat returning starter Xzavier Dickson, according to Don Kausler Jr. of AL.com.

Devall notched 18 tackles and a pair of sacks as a reserve last season, and he’s come on strong as a potential breakout candidate for the defense this fall.

John Fulton

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Height: 6’0”

Weight: 186 pounds

Position: Corner

Player Replacing: Dee Milliner

Saban went into Steve Spurrier’s backyard in the Palmetto State to grab 4-star corner John Fulton, who was one of the nation’s top defensive backs in the 2010 class. Fulton chose Alabama over SEC powers South Carolina, Florida and LSU.

After seeing time as a reserve in his first three seasons at Alabama, Fulton is closing in on locking down the starting corner spot opposite Deion Belue.

Despite battling injuries throughout his career, he has flashed glimpses of his talent. His performance in last season’s loss to Texas A&M was the most notable example of his ability.

Adam Griffith

Alabama has signed top-rated players at nearly every position, and Saban carried on that tradition by inking standout 3-star placekicker Adam Griffith, who was the nation’s top kicker in the 2012 class. Griffith chose the Tide over Georgia, LSU and Vanderbilt.

The graduation of kicker Jeremy Shelley has produced a battle to find his successor, with Griffith and senior Cade Foster vying for the job.

While Foster has some experience as the Tide’s long-range kicking specialist for the last two seasons, Griffith enters the mix after redshirting last season.

Saban has been tight-lipped about the battle between Foster and Griffith. However, as Michael Casagrande of the Ledger-Enquirer notes, Griffith excelled under pressure in high school. That experience should help him become the Tide’s answer at kicker sooner than later.